2023 Lexus LS 500h Sedan

　　

2023 Lexus LS 500h Review

byClint SimoneSenior Reviews Editor

　　Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining zzdcar as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.

　　The Lexus LS doesn't generate as much excitement as it did many years ago when it served as the brand's debut model in America. But more than 30 years later, the 2023 Lexus LS 500h continues to be the automaker's flagship sedan and a canvas for tech, comfort and safety innovations.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus LS 500h 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$188/mo  for LS 500h Base

　　LS 500h Base

　　4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) (Most Popular) - $113,485 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　For 2023, the hybrid-powered 500h gets a new infotainment interface. It has a new 12.3-inch center touchscreen and finally dispenses with the clumsy touchpad control of earlier systems. (Hallelujah!) Features are now accessed through the touchscreen or voice commands. The updated voice command system can respond to natural speech and control media, navigation, climate and other functions.

　　Apart from the fresh features in the tech department, the LS 500h remains a posh luxury sedan that provides one of the most relaxing experiences of any car on sale. The 500h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid, making 354 horsepower. That's underwhelming by large luxury sedan standards, but in return the 500h gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is the best figure in the class, albeit by just a couple of mpg.

　　We've raved about this Lexus' sublime ride quality and noise control and appreciate its use of high-quality materials in the cabin. The LS lacks the dazzling exterior design to go with its ornate interior, which is perhaps one reason why it doesn't attract as much attention as some of its German counterparts. The Mercedes S-Class remains the segment all-star, though BMW has upped its game in a big way with the new 7 Series. There is also renewed competition from the Genesis G90. We like how Lexus updated the 2023 LS 500h's tech, but Lexus has an uphill battle on its hands among this stellar group.

　　

Which LS 500h does zzdcar recommend?

This Lexus comes one way, and that's as the fully loaded LS 500h AWD. You can upgrade the car with optional paint colors, a different 20-inch wheel and special metal interior trim. Otherwise, Lexus includes everything as standard equipment.

　　

Lexus LS 500h models

The 2023 Lexus LS 500h is available in a single trim level that's powered by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine enhanced with two electric motors. Combined output is 354 horsepower. A unique transmission marries a traditional four-speed automatic to a continuously variable automatic, creating a single unit. Every LS 500h includes a long and comprehensive list of standard features. The highlights include:  

　　LS 500h

　　Comes well equipped with:

　　20-inch alloy wheels Adaptive air suspension system (adjusts to enhance ride comfort and handling as well as the ride height) LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist Rain-sensing windshield wipers Wiper de-icer system Hands-free power open and close trunk Power sunroof Premium leather upholstery Four-zone climate control Heated wood-and-leather steering wheel Power-adjustable front seats with massage Heated and ventilated front seats Power-reclining rear seats with memory function Heated rear seats Power rear sunshade Power side window shadesTechnology features include:

　　12.3-inch touchscreen display Navigation system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection (both with wireless connectivity) Voice assistant Amazon Alexa compatibility 23-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out of the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)The list of standard driver assist features is a long one too. It includes:

　　Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the LS 500h and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Adaptive cruise control with lane change assistance (can automatically change lanes during cruise control when the driver activates the turn signal) Lexus Teammate (uses the adaptive cruise control and other systems to allow for hands-free driving under certain conditions) Active steering assistance (applies corrective steering action to avoid or minimize an imminent forward collision if the driver doesn't react in time) Front cross-traffic alert (warns if a vehicle is about to cross the vehicle's forward path) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

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